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India made 260 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in their allotted 50 overs against Pakistan in the second and final semi final in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 a short while ago. Sachin Tendulkar made the highest for India by scoring 85 runs. Wahab Riaz was the pick of the Pakistan bowlers claiming 5 wickets for 46 in 10 overs.

India made 260 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in their allotted 50 overs against Pakistan in the second and final semi final in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 a short while ago. Sachin Tendulkar made the highest for India by scoring 85 runs. Wahab Riaz was the pick of the Pakistan bowlers claiming 5 wickets for 46 in 10 overs.

England posted a total of 229 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in their fifty overs with Jonathan Trott top scoring with 86 while Eoin Morgan scored 50. The Sri Lankans were uncharacteristically poor in the field dropping three catches while Muttiah Muralitharan picked up two vital wickets for the Lankans.

The vehicle that UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake was travelling in met with an accident today (March 26) in Induruwa, Galle on his way back from attending a UNP meeting, Mr. Karunanayake stated. The accident occurred when the driver of the vehicle attempted to avoid a child crossing the road and toppled off the main road while no one has been injured by in the incident.

Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena has advised authorities to implement a special process in order to apprehend individual that deceive people by posing as doctors or as involved in the medical profession. Information has been revealed that there are around 7,000 fake doctors within the country, states the Ministry of Health and explains that, often the situation of patients worsen due to receiving treatment from such false medics. Raids carried out to apprehend such impersonators should involve Provincial Health Directors and Regional Directors of Health Services, the Minister of Health has advised.

Mumbai: Skipper Kumar Sangakkara scored a century to help Sri Lanka recover from the early loss of both openers and reach 265-9 against New Zealand in Friday’s World Cup Group A match. Sangakkara (111) and Mahela Jayawardene (66) put on 145 for the third wicket after Tillakaratne Dilshan and Upal Tharanga departed to leave Sri Lanka on 19-2. Sangakkara eventually played on to Nathan McCullum in the 42nd over after hitting 12 fours and two sixes for his first World Cup hundred. New Zealand rued a contentious decision in the 24th over when Nathan McCullum appeared to take a wonderful diving catch to dismiss Jayawardene — only for third umpire Amiesh Saheba to decide that replays did not prove conclusively that the catch was taken cleanly. And New Zealand’s injury toll mounted when Hamish Bennett limp off the field after turning his ankle while bowling in the 31st over. New Zealand is already missing captain Daniel Vettori and paceman Kyle Mills. Bennett had only come into the team as a r

One person has been killed and another injured when Security Forces fired at a motorcycle for disobeying orders to stop in Ahangama, DIG Southern Province Kingsley Ekanayaka. He added that the villagers who were enraged after the shooting had set fire to a police jeep. Police protection has been increased in the area. Karapitiya hospital sources confirmed to that one person had died and another is being treated due to the shooting.

One person has been admitted to hospital due to injuries sustained when two groups clashed in Kuttigala, Embilipitiya today morning. Hospital sources told that the injured person had cut wounds on his body and that his condition was not critical.

Sri Lanka faces no immediate threat from the explosion that occurred in the Fukushima Nuclear plant in Japan which was feared to have caused a nuclear leakage, the Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Authority Chairman Prof. Wimaladharma Abeywickerma stated. Speaking at a press briefing today (March 15) he stated that although no emergency regulations were taken in countries such as China, Taiwan and Russia, an emergency situation has only been declared in South Korea. With fears of radiation and harmful environmental pollutants being carried along the wind to other nations, Prof. Abeywickrema added that experts have revealed that the wind will carry any hazardous pollutants across the Pacific ocean while Sri Lanka will not feel the effects of this greatly. The Power and Energy Ministry meanwhile stated that in view of the numerous false emails and sms messages that have been circulating regarding the incident, the public can get accurate information by visiting www.iaerg.org or calling 2533449

The OIC of Rattota Police in Matale District, where irregularities during postal voting had been reported, has been transferred to the Colombo Police headquarters with immediate effect. Head of the Police Election Secretariat, Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police, Gamini Navaratne confirmed the transfer and revealed that a special inquiry in regard to the matter will commence shortly. The Deputy Commissioner of Elections, Mathale District K.H.A. Meegasmulla had received a complaint stating that postal voting at the polling station held at the Rattota Police station did not proceed impartially. The complaint was forwarded to the Election Commissioner, K.H.A. Meegasmulla said.

Imrul Kayes hit an unbeaten 73 as Bangladesh beat Netherlands by 6 wickets in their World Cup clash at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury stadium in Chittagong to keep their quarterfinals hopes alive. Junaid Siddique and Shahriar Nafees chipped in with 35 and 37 respectively as Bangladesh chased down 161-run target in 41.2 overs. Netherlands started impressively as pacer Mudassar Bukhari dismissed local-boy Tamim Iqbal in the very first over for nought. Earlier, Abdur Razzak-led discipline Bangladesh bowlers bowled the Netherlands out for 160 in their must-win Group B match on Monday. Bangladesh’s most successful one-day bowler finished with 3 wickets for 29 runs in ten overs. For Dutch, Ryan ten Doeschate remained unbeaten on 53 at the end. Doeschate hit two fours and a six in his 71-ball inning. Dutch innings was hampered by four run outs, as they were bundled out in 46.2 overs. Razzak dismissed Atse Buurman (0) and Tom de Grooth (4) in the 38th over to break momentum of the already sl

Police at the scene in Meadowbank Park where workers found a suitcase believed to contain body parts. Police divers search the canal where the case was found. Picture: Tracee Lea Source: The Daily Telegraph A Ninteen-year-old Australian of Sri Lankan descent has been charged with raping and murdering of a 24-year-old Indian-origin student. The victim who was murdered after being sexually assaulted, was found stuffed in a suitcase in a park in Sydney, Indian media reports. Police said the “predator” had waited until her housemate was away to sexually assault and kill her. Tosha Thakkar’s body was found Friday morning in a canal behind the Meadowbank Park in northwestern Sydney. It had been stuffed into a large, black, cloth suitcase, The Age reported. Ninteen-year-old Daniel Stani-Reginald has been charged with raping and murdering Thakkar last week. The case was mentioned briefly in the Burwood Local Court Monday. Stani-Reginald, an Australian of Sri Lankan descent, is allege

A clash is reported to have occurred in the Iranawila area between two fractions of UNP and UPFA supporters. A group of UPFA supporters had initially crashed into an UNP public rally and had disrupted the event resulting in the conflict situation. Afterward several United National Party (UNP) activists had entered a propaganda meeting held by the United People’s Freedom Alliance and seized a UPFA Puththalam District Organizer. The individual had later been released while the firearm of the security officer was handed over to the police.

Around 650 complaints have been received within the past 8 months regarding various wrongdoings carried out using the social networking site Facebook, stated the Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Response Team (SLCERT). It has been reported that a majority of the complaints received are concerning fake Facebook accounts. Measures have already been taken in order to cancel these false accounts, says the Senior Information Security Engineer of SLCERT, Rohana Palliyaguru. He further expressed that, several complaints have also been received of scams and frauds carried out with the use of the popular Facebook website.

A volcano in southwestern Japan erupted on Sunday after nearly two weeks of relative silence, sending ash and rocks up to four kilometres (two and a half miles) into the air, a local official said. It was not immediately clear if the eruption was a direct result of the massive 8.9-magnitude earthquake that rocked northern areas on Friday, unleashing a fierce tsunami and sparking fears that more than 10,000 may have been killed, reports AFP. The 1,421-metre (4,689-feet) Shinmoedake volcano in the Kirishima range saw its first major eruption for 52 years in January. There had not been any major activity at the site since March 1. Authorities have maintained a volcano warning at a level of three out of five, restricting access to the entire mountain. In April last year, the eruption of the Eyjafjoell volcano in Iceland dispersed a vast cloud of ash, triggering a huge shutdown of airspace that affected more than 100,000 flights and eight million passengers.

Radiation has leaked from a Japanese nuclear reactor and authorities say there is a possibility of a meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi plant about 250km north of Tokyo. But radioactive levels near the Fukushima nuclear plant, where five reactors were earlier under a state of emergency, have reduced since pressure built rapidly last night, said Japanese officials. The cooling system of the plant was damaged in the massive earthquake that struck northeastern Japan and triggered a tsunami, killing hundreds of people. More than 10,000 people remain missing in the port town of Minamisanriku, which has a total population of 17,000, said Japanese public broadcaster NHK. An explosion at the nuclear facility tore down the walls of one building on Saturday, leaving smoke billowing out. It was not clear if the damaged building housed the No. 1 reactor which officials fear could melt down. "We are now trying to analyse what is behind the explosion," Yukio Edano, a government spokesman, s

India were pegged back to a total of 296 runs after getting off to a strong start against South Africa in Nagpur. India were 267 for one wicket in the 40 th over and crumbled in just 9 overs managing to lose the rest of their wickets for just 29 runs with Dale Steyn picking up five wickets for 50 runs. Sachin Tendulkar scored 111 while opening partner Virender Sehwag scored 73 and Gautam Gambhir contributed with 69.

Hundreds of people are dead after one of the strongest earthquakes ever recorded struck Japan, triggering a devastating 10-metre-high tsunami along parts of the country's northeastern coastline. The massive 8.9-magnitude earthquake struck on Friday afternoon local time, creating gigantic waves which swept away cars, boats, homes and people as the surging water overwhelmed coastal barriers. Widespread fires burned out of control and Japan's nuclear industry was on alert as reactors shut down automatically as a safety precaution. Millions are reported to be without electricity, airports are closed and public transport in Tokyo and other cities has come to a halt as Japan reels amid the twin devastations. Police said 200 to 300 bodies have been found in the northeastern coastal city of Sendai where hundreds of buildings have collapsed. Japan's NHK television said the victims appeared to have drowned. Police said another 88 were confirmed killed and 349 were missing. Thousands

The Ministry of External Affairs has set up a 24-hour information desk for anyone seeking information on Sri Lankans in Japan following the earthquake and tsunami which hit the country earlier today (March 11). The public can contact 0772267929 and 0115743362 for any information regarding Lankans in Japan.

Indian Police have uncovered an illegal liquor smuggling racket operating from Sri Lanka to India, after they had received a number of complaints in regard, Indian media reported. Meanwhile, two individuals have been arrested in the Thirusulam area in India while illegally transporting liquor bottles from Sri Lanka. The quantity of liquor they had been transporting is reported to be worth over 50,000 Indian rupees. However, Indian media further reports that the Indian Police together with the Indian Coast Guard have commenced a special search operation due to such liquor smuggling rackets from the island nation to India.

Sri Lanka beat Zimbabwe by 139 runs at the Pallekele Stadium a short while ago in their Group A World Cup encounter. Sri Lanka posted 327 runs after Upul Tharanga and T.M. Dilshan put on an opening wicket partnership of 282 runs but Zimbabwe could only manage 188 runs in reply. Brendan Taylor scored 80 runs at the top but Dilshan was once again the hero picking up four wickets in his three overs for just four runs. He was named the man of the match for his contribution. Muttiah Muralitharan also picked up three wickets in his final game on his home ground.

Pro- and anti-government forces are locked in intense fighting for control of several cities and towns across Libya, where a near month-long uprising is threatening to end Colonel Muammar Gaddafi's more than 41-year-old rule. Some of the fiercest fighting is taking place in the cities of Ras Lanuf, Brega and Bin Jawad, besides Az Zawiyah, 50km west of the capital Tripoli. Rebel forces in the port city of Ras Lanuf, which is the site of a key oil installation, are now retreating from their positions and heading further east. Opposition fighters were seen trooping into cars and trucks by the hundreds and fleeing eastwards, after coming under intense mortar and rocket fire, as well as aerial bombardment earlier in the day. Pro-Gaddafi forces hit an oil installation, as well as bombing a civilian house and the area around a hospital, opposition forces said. "We've been wondering for the last few days about why Gaddafi has not employed his full forces, and today we've seen

The Department of Registration of Persons has recommenced its one-day service process of issuing National Identity Cards for a fee of Rs.500, the Government Information Department announced.

t will not be made compulsory for government schools to extend their work hours until 3 p.m. Secretary to the President, Lalith Weeratunga stated quelling several rumours that the government was looking to extend school hours. He further explained that it was the President’s intention to get the opinions of school teachers, students, parents and other relevant parties before implementing such a law. Weeratunga added that no such regulation will be implemented if it isn’t favourable to all the parties involved.

With the rapid development taking place in the North under the “Uthuru Wasanthaya” (Northern Spring) programme, the North now cannot be called a less privileged or remote area, stated President Mahinda Rajapaksa and stressed he is committed to serve all the people in this country regardless of ethnic, religious or cultural differences. The President said so at the United People’s Freedom Alliance’s (UPFA) Mannar district rally held yesterday (08) at the Mannar Urban Council Sports Stadium under the theme “Sapiri Gamak-Supiri Ratak” (an abundant village-a self-sufficient nation). The benefits of development should reach all citizens of this country, be it North, South, East or West, the President said. “We are one nation, we must treat everyone equally”, he added. We carried out development programmes while fighting terrorism. People in the North are able to carry out their livelihoods without obstacle. Fishing has commenced and the Government has taken steps to find solutions to the pr

Sri Lanka skipper Kumar Sangakkara told Tillakaratne Dilshan to stay angry despite the opener losing out to Australian fast bowler Shaun Tait in an ugly World Cup war of words. Dilshan and Tait were locked in a furious exchange when the Sri Lankan star edged through the slips for a boundary at the start of Saturday’s abandoned match in Colombo. He then pulled away from the crease just as Tait went into his delivery stride, before the speedster had his man next ball, courtesy of a slip catch. “Dilshan has been our best performer over the last few years. He has won us so many games so we just want him to go out and we want him to be focused and keep his aggression,” said Sangakkara. Dilshan made just four runs against Australia having made 50 in the game with Canada, 41 against Pakistan and 44 against Kenya. “In cricket you have instances where not everyone shines every day. You always get matches where certain people shine and some don’t,” added the captain. “I think batsmen go through

Jayantha Ketagoda will take oaths today (March 8) in parliament after being nominated to take Sarath Fonseka’s parliamentary post. Ketagoda told Ada Derana that he has decided to take the position in order to protect Fonseka’s seat in parliament. The leaders of the Democratic National Alliance (DNA) had requested him to take Sarath Fonseka’s parliamentary seat while he will take oaths at today’s parliamentary sessions, Ketagoda stated. He added that his name had been already gazetted for this post for the last month while the DNA had decided that no one else should be allowed to grab Fonseka’s seat in parliament.

The United National Party (UNP) says that it condemns the incident in which a female UPFA candidate for the Mahara Pradeshiya Sabha had been assaulted, allegedly by a UNP candidate. Also if the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) is attempting to highlight such incidents for their own political gains, as a party we refute such attempts in utter disgust, the UNP states in a release. The party’s attention has been drawn towards this incident and a separate inquiry on the UNP candidate, who is alleged of the attack, will be carried out based on the concerning medical report and all the acceptable information, the issued statement reads. The United National Party further expressed that it will hesitate to take disciplinary action against the candidate if he is found guilty of being involved in any illegal act.

Applications for the Grade 5 scholarship examination will be posted to schools by next week, says the Department of Examination. The applications have to be completed and submitted through school principals before March 31, the Department advises. Students who are below the age 11 and above the age of 10 as of January 30, 2010 are valid to apply for the examination, which is scheduled to be held on August 20.

So far 130 individuals have been arrested over violations of election laws concerning the upcoming Local Government election and are scheduled to be presented to court, the Police Elections Secretariat stated. Senior DIG Gamini Navaratne who is in charge of the Police Elections Secretariat says that the number of pre-election violence incidents being reported are marginally low compared to previous elections. The Police Elections Secretariat has received 103 complaints so far in regard to the election, he said. A majority of those complaints are of minor incidents, Senior DIG Gamini Navaratne further stated.

Sri Lanka were 146/3 in 32.5 overs in their World Cup clash against Australia when rain stopped play at the R Premadasa stadium in Colombo on Saturday. The rain interruption came after Australia produced a dominant bowling performance to clinch three wickets. Lee and Tait clinched the wickets of Tharanga and Dilshan while Jayawardene was run out as a result of a direct throw by Steven Smith at the bowler’s end. However, Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara gave some stability to the home team’s batting by scoring a fighting fity, his sixth in World Cup and 61st in ODIs. Earlier, Lankan skipper Kumar Sangakkara won the toss and decided to bat first against Australia in the crucial World Cup tie at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Saturday. Sri Lanka will look to end Australia’s 31-match unbeaten streak in World Cup. (Agencies)

Ruthless West Indies humiliated Bangladesh with the bat and ball in front of their own fans on Friday, skittling the World Cup co-hosts for their lowest ever ODI score of 58 before chasing down the target in 12.2 overs. Left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn claimed four wickets while Kemar Roach and Darren Sammy bagged three scalps each as Bangladesh were flattened in 18.5 overs. The boos around the Shere Bangla National Stadium could still be heard when the West Indian openers Chris Gayle and Darren Bravo came out to bat but Shakib Al Hasan’s men were powerless to stop the visitors winning by nine wickets. Bangladesh’s score of 58 was the lowest total in this year’s World Cup.